Community Notes

Centex Rodgers, Inc., the construction company leading the Reston Hospital Center expansion, is hosting a holiday toy drive to benefit Reston Interfaith, Inc. New, unwrapped toys or donations may be delivered to the construction trailer at the hospital job site at 1850 Town Center Parkway, Reston. The challenge is to beat Reston Interfaith's current record of 200 toy donations by at least 100 toys. The toy drive will be held until Dec. 18.

The Optimist Club of Reston is holding its primary fund-raising event of the year with the sale of Christmas trees. Trees are currently available at the lot directly adjacent to the Target parking lot on Sunset Hills Road, across the street from the YMCA and Carrabba's Restaurant. The lot is open Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. and on weekday evenings from 5-9 p.m.

While supplies last, a thank you package valued at $35 is given to each person who buys a Christmas tree. A $35 donation to purchase a tree for a needy family is also an option. All proceeds from tree sales are used to benefit the Reston Community.

Volunteers for Kids R First will be gift wrapping purchases at Office Depot, 11816 Spectrum Center Drive, Reston, through Dec. 24 to benefit the non-profit organization. Kids R First provides school supplies to students in need who attend grades K-12 in public schools in the Dulles Corridor area. The organization also assists high school students to defray costs of SAT tutorial courses, TOEFL tests, and other necessary tools for learning.

Reston Association is sponsoring a trail and open space clean-up program called "Adopt-A-Spot." It is modeled after the federal and state highway adoption program focused on litter pickup. The Association has many sites that have been adopted by groups, families, individuals and local businesses throughout the community. If interested, contact Ha Brock, volunteer coordinator at 703-435-7986 or e-mail habrock@reston.org.

The Reston Chorale is holding auditions for "A Journey to Freedom, Honor and Glory" a world premier concert to be held on March 19, 2004. The group is specifically seeking soprano and tenor soloists, but all choral singers are being recruited. Auditions will be held every Tuesday by appointment. Call 703-834-0079. E-mail auditions@restonchorale.org.

Local artists can show their holiday spirit by exhibiting their work at the Gifts From the HeArt Fine Art Exhibition. Gifts From the HeArt runs from Dec. 1, 2003 to Jan. 5, 2004, at the Reston Community Center’s Jo Ann Rose Gallery. The show benefits Reston

Interfaith. Artists exhibit work, (2-dimensional only; photography welcome), that can be purchased for gift giving. There will be

a $5 entry fee (donation) per work. Up to two works per artist will be accepted. Artists are encouraged to donate 10 percent

Reston Dogs is seeking volunteers and members to join the organization which oversees the Baron Cameron Off Leash Dog Area. Volunteers assure that pick-up bags and water are supplied, that overlooked waste is picked up, large waste barrels are emptied and that county regulations are enforced. Call 703-400-4460 or visit www.restondogs.org.

Fairfax County General Court Services is seeking volunteers and interns to assist in the Fairfax County General District Court performing administrative tasks. All applicants must be at least 18 years of age and successfully pass a criminal background investigation. To request an application, call Lorraine Lottahall, volunteer/intern coordinator, for an application at 703-246-4760 or e-mail lorraine.lottahall@fairfaxcounty.

ReSource Therapy Associates, Inc. is sponsoring a Pet Loss Support Group for people experiencing grief after the loss of an animal. Sessions will be held every Tuesday from 6-7 p.m. at ReSource Therapy Associates, Inc., 11864 Sunrise Valley Drive, Suite 101, Reston.

The Northern Virginia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is seeking volunteers for nursing homes or assisted living facilities in their community which they visit weekly. Listening, observing and mediating, the ombudsman works with the residents, their families and the facility staff to ensure that residents' rights are protected. Applicants must successfully complete training and must be available to volunteer four hours per week during regular business hours. Anyone interested who is not employed by a long-term care facility and can commit one year to working as an Ombudsman should call 703-324-5435. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/ombudsman.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training is recruiting volunteers to train for marathons and races in support of local cancer patients. For more information, call 703-960-1100 or visit www.teamintraining.org.

Inova Blood Donor Services conducts community blood drives on a regular basis. Donating takes about one hour. Donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health for three days prior to donating. Call Inova Blood Donor Services at 703-208-7000.

The NOVA Career Development Network invites those seeking jobs or career transitions to participate in a weekly networking and job support group. The group meets Tuesday mornings from 10:45 a.m.-noon at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Reston, 1625 Wiehle Ave. Call Roy Seabolt at 571-263-1430 or e-mail rseabolt@cox.net for more information. Visit www.communitylink.allnva.com/groups/novacdn.

Three Wishes Program makes power wheelchairs available to senior citizens (65 years and up) and the permanently disabled with no cost to the recipient if they qualify. The power wheelchairs are provided to those who cannot walk and cannot self-propel a manual wheelchair in their home, and who meet the additional guidelines of the program. No deposit is required. Call 800-451-0971 for more information.

Individuals age 50 and above looking for permanent employment are encouraged to call Senior Employment Resources at 703-750-1936, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., for an interview.

The Northern Virginia Family Service needs foster families for abused and neglected children. African-American families are particularly needed. Help is needed in both full-time and short-term programs. Training, support and financial compensation will be provided. For more information about the Northern Virginia Family Service, call 703-533-9727 or e-mail smcallister@nvfs.org.

The Naomi Project needs volunteers to serve as mentors for high risk pregnant women. The women are referred from the Fairfax Hospital, Health Department, Human Services and private physicians. Volunteers give about one hour per week, determined by the client's needs and volunteer's availability. There is a special need for Spanish-speaking volunteers. Call 703-860-2633 or visit naomiproject.homestead.com.